Luke 18:9-23

The Pharisee and the Publican

9 And He also told this parable to some people who ¹trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and ²viewed others with contempt:

10 "Two men ³went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 "The Pharisee ⁴stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

12 'I ⁵fast twice a week; I ⁶pay tithes of all that I get.'

13 "But the tax collector, ⁷standing some distance away, ⁸was even unwilling * to lift up his eyes to heaven, but ⁹was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'

14 "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; ¹⁰for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

15 ¹¹And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.

16 But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

17 "Truly I say to you, ¹²whoever * does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

The Rich Young Ruler

18 ¹³A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

20 "You know the commandments, '¹⁴DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.' "

21 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."

22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; ¹⁵sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have ¹⁶treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

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